Les voix du Guèlédé
Interdisciplinary Performative Installation
(2024-2025 – Bénin)
Gbobal
Creative Residency “Inspiration Benin: Au Coeur des Mondes Africains”
In partnership with the French Institute of Benin and the French Embassy of Benin.
Les Voix du Guèlèdé aims to deepen research on the matriarchal aspects of the Guèlèdé tradition from the Yoruba in Benin. Inspired by an ancestral tradition that honors the Grand Mothers, the Iyas, the research particularly highlighted the role of women by collecting their personal testimonies, perspectives, and engagement within the culture.
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The project unfolded in two phases
The first phase focused on a three-week research in Kétou (Benin) which included field visits, interviews to elders in the community, and the recording of audiovisual documentation of both diurnal and nocturnal ceremonies.
The second phase was dedicated to the creation of two multidisciplinary performative installations, being the first one in Kétou and the second one in Cotonou. Both installations were contemporary adaptations and interpretations inspired by the findings gathered during the research of the traditional practices.
The performative installation was designed to create an immersive experience for the audience to interact and observe the performance from their chosen point of view.
Dance was embedded in the installation serving as a connecting thread between film, visual arts, and sculpture. The dance performance was executed by three dancers currently in training at the Trait d’Union dance program from the Centre Choregraphique Multicorps, and by the collaborator and dancer Orphée Georgah AHEHEHINNOU.
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The project
Global
Throughout this project, I was able to deepen my understanding of the cosmology and gender roles in the Guèlèdé through the voices of women in the community who preserve and perpetuate this tradition, revealing their spiritual leadership and its impact on the community.
The interviews revealed significant insights about the Guèlèdé, particularly emphasizing the central role of women in ceremonies as spiritual leaders, community organizers, and cultural custodians.
Directed by Cecilia Slongo with the collaboration of Chakirou SALAMI and Orphée Georgah AHEHEHINNOU.
